Sherman A1
Sherman A1's JournalFinland restricts electricity transmission capacity from Russia
The decision is aimed at safeguarding the security of Finland's energy system, power grid operator Fingrid says.
YLE NEWS
22.4. 10:19
Finland's national power grid operator Fingrid has announced it will restrict the transmission capacity of cross-border connections from Russia, effective from Sunday 24 April.
In a press release, the company said it was seeking to safeguard the security of Finland's energy system.
"The decision is based on an assessment of the risks to the power system in the changing international situation," the statement said, adding that the import capacity will be reduced to a maximum of 900 MW instead of the current 1,300 MW.
Helsingin Sanomat reported (siirryt toiseen palveluun)(in Finnish) on Friday that the assessment of the risks — as mentioned in the Fingrid press release — include possible attempts by Russia to influence Finland during the debate about Nato membership and the potential application process.
https://yle.fi/news/3-12414850
FM: No point delaying Nato membership bid
This is the right time for Finland to apply for Nato membership, according to Pekka Haavisto.
YLE NEWS
23.4. 06:13
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Updated 23.4. 06:15
Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green) on Saturday said that the threshold for Finland seeking Nato membership may grow in the future if Finland does not attempt to join now.
Speaking on Yle TV1's Ykkösaamu chat show, the Finnish foreign minister said it was difficult to imagine a more dramatic shift in the European security environment than the events that have unfolded since Russia invaded Ukraine.
He said the Ukraine war has forced Finland to reevaluate its security policy.
"What worse thing would still have to happen for Finland to at least consider Nato," he asked.
Scientists have discovered that people who stop working earlier on Friday
Have a longer weekend………..
Spire seeks to raise gas rates for Missouri customers, shortly after its last increase
St. Louis-based natural gas utility Spire is again seeking to increase rates for Missouri customers, a move that would boost yearly revenue by $152 million.
The request comes just five months after Missouri state regulators approved a nearly 3% rate hike for Spire, on top of sharply rising gas costs. Housing advocates warn increasing utility prices coupled with near-record inflation will hurt low-income residents struggling to make ends meet. But Spire officials say another rate hike is needed to cover the cost of employee salaries, after state regulators revised long-standing policies last year.
Spire raised rates in December by about $1.72 per month for residential customers, on average — roughly half the amount the utility had requested.
While reviewing the yearlong rate case, the Missouri Public Service Commission questioned Spire’s accounting practices and ordered the utility to undergo an audit.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2022-04-22/spire-seeks-to-raise-gas-rates-for-missouri-customers-shortly-after-its-last-increase
Frustrated by COVID lawsuits, Missouri Senate committee cuts attorney general's budget
A Southwest Missouri Republican upset with Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s aggressive campaign of lawsuits against local governments and school districts cut $500,000 from Schmitt’s budget on Wednesday.
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, won committee support for cutting money added by the Missouri House. The extra funds would have allowed Schmitt to hire five additional attorneys for the office’s Solicitor General unit, which represents the state in major appellate and constitutional litigation.
“As our attorney general continues to sue most of the citizens of this state, I don’t know why we are giving him another half million dollars,” Hough said.
The appropriation was in the spending bill that provides funds for elected officials, the judiciary and the Office of Public Defender. It is awaiting a final vote, along with 12 other appropriation bills, that will send it to the Senate floor for debate.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2022-04-21/frustrated-by-covid-lawsuits-missouri-senate-committee-cuts-attorney-generals-budget
April 22, 1938 The State of Texas gave up a fight to move Moses Austin from Potosi
to a cemetery for state heroes. Texans had even hired an undertaker who cracked the tomb trying to break in. Austin established Potosi and Herculaneum as part of his lead mining empire. He planned a colony in Texas, then under Spanish rule. But he died while making preparations in 1821. His son Stephen brought 300 families from Missouri to Texas, where the capitol city is named Austin.
What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
Same middle name……………
Baltic Dry Index Rises to Over Two-week Peak
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, rose to a more than two-week high on Thursday, driven by gains in the capesize segment.
The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, rose 97 points, or 4.53%, to 2,239 points, the highest since April 4.
The capesize index jumped 273 points, or 20%, to 1,636 points, also a peak since April 4.
Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000 tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased by $2,266 to $13,571.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/baltic-dry-index-rises-twoweek-peak-495978.
Sanctions Mix-up: Greece to Release Russian Tanker
A Russian tanker impounded by Greece this week and reportedly carrying Iranian oil will be released amid confusion about sanctions on its owners.
"The coast guard has been ordered by the anti-money laundering authority to release the vessel," a Greek government official said, without providing further details.
On Tuesday, Greek authorities impounded the 115,500-deadweight tonnage Russian-flagged Pegas, with 19 Russian crew members on board, on the southern coast of the island of Evia.
They said the ship was impounded as part of EU sanctions on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/sanctions-mixup-greece-release-russian-495968
US Receiving Last Russian Oil Cargoes Before Wind-down
Nine tankers carrying Russian-origin crude and fuel oil have discharged in the United States in April, likely the last ones to deliver before a wind-down set by Washington expires this week, customs and tanker tracking data showed.
The United States last month set an April 22 ban on imports of Russian crude and refined products. The United States gave importers of Russian petroleum, liquefied natural gas and coal 45 days to take en route and under-contract cargoes.
Tanker Seamagic, which loaded fuel oil at Russia’s Taman port, discharged at Valero Energy’s St. Charles, Louisiana, refinery last week, the last of the nine tracked to discharge. The data does not include ship-to-ship transfers or Russian-origin oil loaded elsewhere.
Minerva Ellie, a vessel carrying high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and sold by Russia’s Rosneft, also discharged at Valero’s St. Charles facility, according to U.S. customs data. The cargo was chartered by commodities trader Vitol.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-receiving-last-russian-oil-cargoes-495949
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